REPORT: Dodge Circuit production hints, possibly coming in 2010
Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
With all of the recent upheaval at Chrysler, it's no surprise that the fate of the very cool Dodge Circuit is not exactly certain. In May, Chrysler assured everyone that the program was not DOA, and Chrylser ENVI president Lou Rhodes recently said something similar to Car and Driver. Rhodes even gave C&D a few details about how the program is shaping up.
Chrysler's plan involves having the vehicle produced by Lotus in the UK (sounds familiar) and then shipped to the U.S. for the electric powertrain. Chrysler's sales target is 100,000 EVs in order to benefit from economies of scale for all the expensive EV bits. By selling that many vehicles, Chrysler's efforts could make the Circuit "tens of thousands" of dollars less than the somewhat similar Tesla Roadster. The Circuit is still likely to be Chrysler's first EV, and could start production next year.
Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive
Photos copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Car and Driver via All Cars Electric]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RamblinReck89 8:42AM (7/22/2009)
I have no idea what this thing's gonna cost, but how much could they really sell it for? $60,000? They can't sell it for too much, since it's a Dodge, but they managed to sell the Viper for $90k and more. Maybe the government will use our tax dollars to subsidize it.
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Jay Evans 8:50AM (7/22/2009)
Chrysler's sales target is 100,000 EVs ...
They must be smoking some of that "loan" money....
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happyfun86 8:53AM (7/22/2009)
I don't see this car adding much to their goal of 100,000 EVs, but hey, if it helps contribute to a lower cost for the electric powertrain (even just a little), then why not?
From a consumer point of view, considering that these companies' cars don't hold their value too well (for instance, I found an '06 Viper with 3500 miles for $59,000 on Craigslist yesterday), picking one of these up a few years after they come out might not be such a hit to the wallet. And that's always a good thing, right?
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Bobmarley 9:56AM (7/22/2009)
It's not a good thing (with exception to a few couple models) because the prices drop for a reason...which means consumers get a bad product and Chrysler continues to suck and go bankrupt again and Obama might bail them out again
Alex 8:56AM (7/22/2009)
The poor man's Tesla.
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Hardy 9:31AM (7/22/2009)
If I wanted a Lotus, I'd buy a Lotus...not a Chrysler =/
Dave 9:07AM (7/22/2009)
One of the major car companies had to do this, just to debunk the BS surrounding Tesla.
Tesla is nothing but marketing.
There are lots of companies out there doing conversions using off the rack parts. Tesla is one of them.
The only thing Tesla did different was that they decided to build a high end unit instead of attempting to build an affordable one.
Anyone who wants to build an EV (including regenerative braking) can buy this kit:
http://www.electroauto.com/catalog/ackits.shtml#ldirect
Tesla simply used a larger motor, controller, etc. And built a ridiculously expensive battery out of off the shelf laptop batteries.
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mact 9:21AM (7/22/2009)
looks like a 90's Dodge Stratus.
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Tagg 10:10AM (7/22/2009)
Would you prefer a 2008 Avenger? Ha ha ha!
Just saying.
XGM 11:13AM (7/22/2009)
Or the Lotus Europa...
TRIP 9:22AM (7/22/2009)
Here we go again, another electric sports car that most people have no practical use for. Why not pour all that money into a four door midsize or a crossover, something that people will actually consider buying. More and more the Volt is looking pretty good.
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Art 9:23AM (7/22/2009)
don't make it solely a EV. hybrid, it'll be quicker and cheaper
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JohnnyG 9:43AM (7/22/2009)
It looks alright at certain angles. But I am not liking the grill/front fascia; it screams 1990's and has to go. I believe overall, Dodge needs to update their grill, it has cheapened the look of their cars (one of many characteristics in both design and engineering that has given them a very cheap reputation).
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Tagg 10:11AM (7/22/2009)
Chrysler group doesn't need an EV, it needs a mid-size car, a compact car, a compact CUV and a midsize CUV. It also needs something for Jeep outside of the Wrangler and not another Compass or Commander.
Like TRIP said, put the money elsewhere where a company that just came out of bankruptcy could maybe get a return on investment.
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sunz 10:05AM (7/22/2009)
I think it is perfect .. well not perfect but I'd be in line to buy one. And yes i mean all Electric (wish: all electric fisker karma)... and 60k is fine .. though 50k would be a bit nicer.
-sun
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dodgeboy 10:23AM (7/22/2009)
you guys realize that the 100 000 sales goal includes not only the circuit, but the town and country ev, the wrangler ev, and the patriot ev
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Greg Aryous 10:51AM (7/22/2009)
Chrysler is just wasting OUR MONEY with this BS. There isn't much of a market for a 2-door EV sports car. They should focus on volume where they (WE) can make our money back.
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XGM 11:32AM (7/22/2009)
Why do people take such a big issue with this ? Do you realize that about $1,450 billion is spent on your military ? You should look where your country spends its money, because with some quick looking around I am seeing pretty ridiculous stuff they get away with.
Erik 12:52PM (7/22/2009)
Seriously Greg, XGM is right. Chrysler is an excellent investment compared to many of the money pits the government throws IT'S (not our) money into. At least the auto bailout was only in the billions and has not cost thousands of lives.
Yaroukh 10:57AM (7/22/2009)
C'mon Dodge, you can do better! Challenger is such pleasure to look at (from outside)... But this is bleh.
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